Buffalo Bills News - January 6, 2004

Mora the same [5:06 AM]Chicago Sun Times reports:
'Meanwhile, former Bears coach Dick Jauron interviewed in Buffalo on Monday but is not thought to be a front-runner for the Bills' job. Former New York Giants coach Jim Fassel will interview in Buffalo today and is thought to be the top candidate.'

Saban still No. 1 [5:05 AM]Arlington Heights Daily Herald reports:
'In Buffalo on Monday, the Bills interviewed former Bears coach Dick Jauron, fired by the Bears after a 7-9 season. But the Bills are said to prefer someone with an offensive background, which is why they are most interested in Fassel.'

UT's def. coordinator to resign Tuesday [5:03 AM]Dallas Morning News reports:
'Former Texas defensive back Jerry Gray, who was the Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator before head coach Gregg Williams was fired recently, is considered a leading candidate to replace Reese. Gray, a native of Lubbock and a two-time All-American at Texas as a safety in 1983 and 1984, was scheduled to interview for the Bills' head coaching job Monday, according to one source.'

January 5, 2004

Gray Has Back-Up Plans [8:38 PM]RNews.com reports:
'If Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Jerry Gray does not get the vacant head coaching job, he is apparently making back-up plans. In Austin, Texas, Gray is being mentioned as a possible candidate to be the new defensive coordinator at the University of Texas.'

Bills interview Jauron, Gray; Fassel next [8:29 PM]AP reports:
'Jauron, who did not make himself available for comment afterward, was the fifth candidate considered by the Bills to replace Gregg Williams, who was dismissed last week. Earlier in the day, team president Tom Donahoe interviewed Bills defensive coordinator Jerry Gray, team spokesman Scott Berchtold said.'

Dolphins interview Mueller for GM job [8:28 PM]AP reports:
'And the team is still awaiting word whether Tom Modrak, assistant GM of the Buffalo Bills, will accept an invitation to interview. ``The decision is in his court now,'' Jones said. ``We told him we're interested in talking to him. He asked what the job entails. We told him very clearly it's a job with a lot of power. And he wants to think about it.'''

Bills latest to bring in Fassel for interview [5:05 PM]CBS Sportsline reports:
'SportsLine.com has learned ex-Giants coach Jim Fassel is scheduled to interview for the Bills opening Tuesday. Fassel is the strongest name yet to be linked with the vacancy and marks the third team he will have interviewed for a job since being dismissed from the Giants.'

A little advice for Tom : You've got to give us some love [3:06 PM]Niagara Falls Reporter reports:
Odds are the Buffalo Bills won't name their next head coach until next month, after the National Football League playoffs are completed and there's a full list of assistant coaches available to complement the ex-head coaches already on the market. Which leaves us plenty of time for speculation. First, let's put the kibosh on one of the more popular names floating around. Not Jim Haslett -- he's not even worth discussing, as both he and New Orleans Saints management confirmed last week that there's no out clause in his contract that would allow him to return to the team he played for in the 1970s and '80s. The subject here is Jim Fassel, recently dispatched after six years at the helm of the New York Giants. He's already interviewed with the Washington Redskins, and is reportedly being wooed by the Chicago Bears and Oakland Raiders as well. Which raises one question. Did the management of any of those teams watch the Giants play during the second half of the season?'

Following interview, Weis may fit the Bills [5:20 AM]Boston Globe reports:
'According to a source familiar with the talks, Weis's interview with Bills president and general manager Tom Donahoe in the Boston area was a smashing success. Weis was described as "very impressive" and "well-prepared." Weis obviously has knowledge of Donahoe's biggest problem: how to fix the offense and quarterback Drew Bledsoe.'

Fassel not in Bears' plans [5:19 AM]Chicago Tribune reports:
'The possibilities: Reports say Dick Jauron, Tom Coughlin and Fassel are scheduled to be interviewed [by the Bills] this week. They made contact with Fassel on Saturday. The Bills, seeking an offensive rejuvenation, also talked to Crennel, Smith and Patriots offensive coordinator Charlie Weis. GM Tom Donahoe has identified head-coaching experience as a big factor.
The favorite: Coughlin. He may have his choice between the Giants and the Bills.
The sleeper: Jauron. Nobody should downplay his stellar reputation outside Chicago.'

Popular Fassel falls off Bears' wish list [5:18 AM]Chicago Sun Times reports:
Fassel, believed to top the wish lists of the Washington Redskins and Arizona Cardinals, also will meet with the Buffalo Bills, who are rumored to be making a big push for his services. A league source said the Bills already were discussing an offer and Fassel was close to a deal.

Mueller interviews today for GM job [5:17 AM]Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel reports:
'The Dolphins have also spoken with Buffalo Assistant General Manager Tom Modrak and remain optimistic about scheduling an interview this week. An NFL source said Sunday that Modrak was mulling over whether he wanted to pursue the job after his conversation with management.'

January 4, 2004

The Bills are due [8:59 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'Only three of the Bills' head coaches can be considered great. Eight were failures. One - Wade Phillips - was somewhere in the middle.'

For Bills fans, let the guessing games begin [8:58 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'Incidentally, I'm expecting ex-Jacksonville coach Tom Coughlin to be the man. Why? Because Len Pasquarelli wrote it in ESPN.com. Besides being one of the most knowledgeable football writers in the business, Pasquarelli has been Donahoe's pal since their high school days in Pittsburgh.'

A Bills box-office repeat will be difficult [5:30 AM]Rochester D&C reports:
'Season-ticket sales are unlikely to increase significantly coming off a bitterly disappointing year, and there are two potential dogs on the home schedule.'

Jets set sights on ex-Bill to coach [5:29 AM]New York Daily News reports:
'Williams would be a terrific fallback option for Edwards, a fan of his aggressive defensive style. Speaking of aggressive, Edwards didn't waste any time on Williams. Although it was widely reported the interview wouldn't occur until tomorrow, the two men actually met for several hours Friday at Weeb Ewbank Hall, according to an NFL source.'

Williams 1st Interview For Jets' Defensive Job [5:28 AM]New York Newsday reports:
'Williams, 45, would be a good fit with his blitzing "46" defense that mixes coverages and disguises pass-rush schemes. Hiring him, however, might mean a departure from the zone-oriented "cover-2" system that Edwards espoused with Tampa Bay.'

Candidates line up to work the sidelines [5:27 AM]Boston Globe reports:
'Although Buffalo will interview several coordinators, club president Tom Donahoe went bust hiring Gregg Williams with no head coaching experience last time, so look for him to go with a proven commodity. That could be Jauron, who did a better job in Chicago than he got credit for, Coughlin or Jim Fassel.'

Bills still believe in Drew [5:26 AM]Boston Herald reports:
'While Bledsoe is expected back, Ruben Brown's days at Ralph Wilson Stadium are at an end, despite having been selected to the Pro Bowl for eight straight years. At odds with the coaching staff all year, Brown was told not to accompany the team to Foxboro for the final regular season game. Even though the staff is gone, Brown's approach to the game this year is expected to result in his being let go before the start of the 2004 season.'

Modrak not high on job [5:25 AM]Miami Herald reports:
'Buffalo assistant general manager Tom Modrak is unlikely to interview for the Dolphins general manager position because he views the move as a lateral move, according to sources close to him.'

Bills' Spikes chosen as starter for Pro Bowl [5:24 AM]AP reports:
'Spikes, who signed with the Buffalo Bills as a free agent last off-season, was selected Saturday to start at linebacker for the AFC along with Ray Lewis and Peter Boulware of the Baltimore Ravens.'

January 3, 2004

Bills' early draft grade: Incomplete [9:01 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'"They didn't get a lot of playing time, but hopefully we have a little bit of depth now that we haven't had," Donahoe said. "With another good draft, we can add even more to our depth. But we like all the rookies in this class. Next year will be the telltale sign for these guys whether they are good enough or not."'

Coordinators get back to business [5:20 AM]Boston Globe reports:
'Yesterday, the Patriots coordinators wrapped up a hectic three-day interview period, during which representatives from five organizations were in town to discuss head coaching vacancies. Each met yesterday with Buffalo Bills president and general manager Tom Donahoe.'